OSHA Probes Electrician's Death at Mizzou Stadium Renovation Site
A workplace death on the University of Missouri’s Memorial Stadium renovation has triggered a federal safety investigation, ISHN reports, citing original reporting from The Kansas City Star.
On June 5, Columbia, Missouri, fire crews responded to the stadium site at 9:05 a.m. for what was initially logged as a “medical response,” according to the Star’s report. Corey Lee Sooter, 44, a foreman for an electrical contractor on the project, died the following day. OSHA opened its investigation on June 11, five days after Sooter’s death, according to an inspection file reviewed by the Star.
Market Impact
OSHA lists BK2 Electrical & Design as the contractor under investigation in connection with the incident. Sooter’s local union, IBEW Local 257, told members he was involved in a “workplace accident” on June 5, the Star reported. No further details on the cause of the incident, the nature of the injuries, or OSHA’s findings have been made public. The investigation remains open, and the stadium renovation is a high-visibility project, which typically brings added scrutiny from regulators, the university, and the general contractor overseeing the site.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Electrical subcontractors on active renovation sites, particularly those involving occupied or high-traffic public venues like stadiums, should confirm lockout/tagout procedures are documented and being followed on every crew, not just spot-checked during walkthroughs.
- Foremen and crew leads should review energized work permits and verify that de-energization steps are signed off before any panel, conduit, or circuit work begins, especially on fast-track renovation schedules where multiple trades overlap.
- General contractors and owners on public university or municipal projects can expect OSHA to move quickly. In this case, the agency opened its file within a week of the death, so subcontractors should have safety logs, training records, and PPE compliance documentation ready for review at all times, not just after an incident.
- Firms working stadium, arena, or large public-assembly renovations should treat electrical work near structural or crowd areas as high-risk and consider a third-party safety audit before OSHA or insurance inspectors arrive on their own schedule.
- Union locals like IBEW Local 257 often communicate directly with members after an incident. Contractors should coordinate messaging and cooperate with union safety reps to avoid conflicting information reaching the workforce during an active investigation.
